It was nearly time. Since that message, Midoriya had spent the last few hours with intense preparation for his role. He still had no idea what Todoroki was planning, but there was no way their friendship could go back to the way it was. He was beginning to make his peace with that. So he would give his all in this performance. Every word of love and romance would come straight from his heart.

Because afterwards, he wouldn't be able to speak them again. Not to Todoroki's face at least. Midoriya took deep breaths while sitting in a chair backstage. Everyone was finishing up the final touches until the curtain rose. His phone buzzed and he saw that it was a selfie of his mother and Fuyumi sitting in their seats. He smiled, glad knowing his mom was there, even if this wasn't the best time.

It wasn't like she could always cheer him on from the sidelines during hero work. But she could be here and she was. He wouldn't let her down. Midoriya could hear the chatter in the audience die down, meaning the lights had been dimmed.

"Aoyama, you're on. Midoriya, you're on deck", Tokoyami said. He had a headset and clipboard.

"Allow me to set the mood, Midoriya-kun~", Aoyama practically glided by him and went out onto the stage.

"Break a leg!", Hagakure exclaimed after him.

The spotlight was on him as he entered stage right and Tokoyami gave the go-ahead to play the introduction music. Jirou played the pre-recorded soundtrack she had worked on with Kaminari and Ashido. Aoyama spoke with it in the background, the light following him across the stage.

"In this land, the Dragon King rules with a fiery fist. All who oppose him are burned to the ground. The royal family of a large kingdom swears their loyalty to him. Their lands are his to roam. But one young man sees injustice and stands against the Dragon King. He is our hero! He journeys to find the powerful God of Might and find the strength to fight against the tyrannical overlord..."

The light fades as the audience applauds and the curtain is pulled open while Aoyama disappears. Midoriya is there on stage now and he looks out onto the sea of people. Despite knowing how many are watching, they don't make him nervous. Heroes are watched by all when saving. If anything is making him nervous, it's Todoroki.

Midoriya tries to keep that out of his mind as he recites his lines, getting the story started. He finished his scene, which was the start of his journey and went off the stage where Bakugou was waiting for his cue.

"You and that half'n'half bastard better not fuck things up", he said before going on.

Midoriya gulped. He knew whatever Todoroki would do wouldn't hurt the play. But Midoriya felt like his reaction might. Could he handle an onstage rejection in front of the whole class, his mother, the five pm audience of channel 35?

Enji sat down and turned the tv on. Someone at work had mentioned that UA students were doing a play that would be broadcast. He vaguely remembered Fuyumi saying that's where she would be today. Shouto had said nothing of it but that was expected. No matter the plot, it was a frivolous activity. Not important for hero work.

He didn't even know if Shouto's class was involved, but if it was, his son had probably found a job backstage. Had Enji known sooner, he would have pushed Shouto to be the star. That was the only role that mattered and he would need to get used to being front and center. He was surprised when he turned to the play on tv and saw in son, on center stage.

"You're finally realizing your place in the world", Enji said proudly, settling in to watch his son's performance.

Todoroki and Midoriya jogged offstage, panting a little after a battle scene. It wasn't a real fight, but holding back and acting put its own unique strain on their bodies. Midoriya avoided Todoroki's gaze, knowing when that intense gaze was on him. Shinsou handed them both some water.

"Good job so far", Tokoyami praised. "Take a break."

They had a few scenes until they needed to appear again. Midoriya went to a chair in front of a vanity and immediately, Ashido was on him, fixing some makeup. Todoroki went all around backstage, whispering and conspiring with the stagehands for his plan. Midoriya, who was trying very hard not to look at him, didn't notice.

"Here, take my hand", Todoroki said, extending an arm. "Dance with me."

Midoriya complied and was pulled into a dancer's hold. Todoroki led him across the stage, weaving between their classmates as they all danced together.

"They're doing very well", Aizawa said, mostly to himself although Midnight sat next to him.

He had been a little worried but the play was progressing nicely. Midnight nodded, proud of her students. All Might was sitting in the far back, in his deflated form, not wanting any of the attention off the kids. He was just as proud as anyone else. This far back he knew he wouldn't get the best recording but he was recording at home and would be taking some pictures later.

He had already snapped a few during the rehearsals. He couldn't help but give a little grin at the 'God of Might'. Perhaps he should ask about that character's inspiration later. The students danced so lovely on the stage, it was clear they had put their all into practicing. The scene ended and the play went on, nearing the climax.

"Are you ready for this?", Yaoyorozu whispered to Todoroki as she adjusted his final costume. It looked the same as his normal outfit as the prince, but it held a secret.

"Yeah. I'm ready", he answered, glancing over at Midoriya who was being looked after by Hatsume.

The both of them went onto the stage for the final battle where they defeated the Dragon King, using their combined abilities and the God of Might's power. Hatsume had modified their costumes so that they lit up spectacularly in a godly glow as they fought. Midoriya could swear he heard his mother's cheering stand out among the crowd, but maybe his ears were fooling him.

"It's over. The Dragon King can't do anymore harm", Todoroki said.

"And now you can lead the country towards peace, as king", Midoriya smiled. This was the end of the play. Todoroki would say, 'we can do it together', hug him, and then the curtain would fall. Midoriya hadn't taken notice of whatever Todoroki's answer was, but maybe it had been subtle and he missed it during the previous scenes.

He would just have to approach him after and get it straight from him, as painful as it sounded. At least the play had gone off without a hitch.

"Being a king means nothing without someone to do it with. The Dragon King was alone and it turned him into a monster", Todoroki said.

To his credit, all Midoriya did to react was blink in surprise. Had their been last minute script changes? Soft music was playing in the background.

"My rule would be tainted if I had never met you. How can I do this without the person who made me a better man? You have been my friend, my partner, my lover." Todoroki held out a hand. "Will you be my king?"

Midoriya was confused about what was going on, but he didn't hesitate to react. He could never refuse Todoroki, especially when he asked so sweetly. He took his hand.

"Yes."

"Then with the God of Might as my witness, I swear to never be the cause of your tears again. I love you, more than anything. You opened up the world to me and I can never repay you, but I will spend the rest of my life trying to give back at least half of the happiness you have given me."

Midoriya looked into Todoroki's eyes. He really looked into them and he could tell this was all real. It wasn't a script change or ad lib. This was how Todoroki felt deep within his heart. This was his answer. Midoriya pulled him into a close embrace. He just barely noticed the fake flower petals snowing around them.

"I accept. With all my heart. With all my soul."

Todoroki smiled what was possibly the softest, warmest smile Midoriya had ever seen. It was like someone had taken a fresh baked chocolate chip cookie and turned it into a facial expression. Todoroki leaned in and Midoriya met him halfway in a kiss. It felt like the rest of the world melted away. All Todoroki could think about was the gentleness of the kiss.

When they parted, the world came back. The curtain was down. Beyond it, the crowd was applauding thunderously.

"Curtain call!", Tokoyami shouted over the clapping. Todoroki looked to Midoriya, who was smiling brightly at him. They let go of each other, but held hands as the rest of the cast and crew lined up to take their bow. Midoriya felt like the weight was lifted from the pit of his stomach and his heart was filled with a bright warmth. The curtain fell for a final time and the whole class turned to each other, passing around congrats and cheers of victory and relief.

It had been a long hard path here, but they had done it. And everyone loved it. Aizawa appeared backstage and doled out his own praise before getting to business.

"Some of the news people want to give interviews. We only let them if there are no objections."

His kids had just put on a taxing production. Aizawa wouldn't blame them if they just wanted to unwind and enjoy the rest of the festival. But most of them were all for more tv time and so a small crew was let in backstage. Midoriya would have liked some time with Todoroki, but as the star, they came to him first. After going through it, he went to change and the press moved on.

Just about everyone had something to say to the camera, although some were more nervous than others. Despite having just performed for a crowd, Uraraka got flustered with the camera in her face. When the camera crew left, Aizawa addressed them again.

"Just change and take care of anything that needs to be done tonight. The rest can be done tomorrow. Enjoy the festival."

The class cheered and used the adrenaline high to finish clean up and changing in record time so that they could have fun the rest of the night. Midoriya found Todoroki waiting for him after he finished dressing. They held hands as they walked out. Midoriya apologized for using him before. Todoroki explained how he never saw it that way.

And he apologized for using Midoriya, who said he also never saw it that way. Midoriya laughed.

"We've been really stupid. From now on, we should communicate better."

Todoroki agreed. This had all started because neither had spoken up about how they felt. That would be different from now on. As they walked the festival grounds, they came upon a bonfire dance. Turned out that was one. Midoriya grinned.

"The dragon king might still have secret agents around. Shall we dance?"

"I'd dance with you even if we weren't trying to hide from an evil king", Todoroki smiled as Midoriya led him into a sway.

"Is this real? I mean is it really fucking real? You two are done being dumbasses about this?", Bakugou asked as he danced near them, leading Kirishima in their own step.

Midoriya and Todoroki gazed at each other's eyes for a moment before smiling lovingly.

"Yes", they said in unison.

"Barf. But that better mean I don't have to hear you two talk about this dumb shit anymore."

"Thank you for your help, Kacchan", Midoriya said.

Todoroki blinked. "Bakugou helped you? He gave me advice too."

Bakugou growled. "Next time I'm going to charge you. And I'm not cheap."

"When are you two gonna finally get together?", Kaminari asked, being led in a dance by Jirou.

"The hell are you talking about?", Bakugou frowned.

Ashido giggled as she danced with Sero. "He means when are you going to make an honest man out of Kirishima."

Bakugou's brow furrowed. "We're already dating."

Everyone in 1-A who had been dancing stopped when they overheard that little bit of news. They all looked to Kirishima for confirmation. He nodded with a bashful grin.

"We've been dating for a few months now", he said.

"I guess they got the jump on us", Midoriya laughed softly. He and Todoroki went back to their dancing while their classmates bombarded Bakugou and Kirishima with questions. After having eyes on them for so long, it was a relief to be left alone.

"I never would have suspected", Todoroki said.

"Well, we both need a little help in the romance department, I think", Midoriya said, thinking over all the drama they put themselves through.

"I know I can improve. But I think I can do it with your assistance." Todoroki believed he could accomplish all things with Midoriya.

Above them, fireworks began to go off. They stopped their dance and stood, Todoroki's arm around Midoriya's waist as they watched the colorful explosions. Midoriya had thought he would end this day with a broken heart. Standing in the embrace of his real and true boyfriend, his heart had never felt more whole.

And if Todoroki went home to a singed television, he paid it very little mind.

And that's the end of that!

Thanks so much to everyone who read and reviewed. I had already posted this on my AO3, but decided to put it over here chapter-by-chapter to sort of gauge the reaction and see if it was worth it to bring my BNHA stuff over here.

I'm glad so many people liked it, and I'll probably end up sharing more of my tododeku stuff here. If you can't wait, you can pop over to my AO3, which has the same username as this one, ApomaroMellow.

Thanks again and I hope to see yall on the next go around!